Motivated by Food

Although I don't have cable, I have still managed to watch a handful of new (to me) TV shows, such as The Wire, Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Extras, The (British) Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and last but certainly not least, Veronica Mars (thanks Laurie!).

Most recently, and much to my boyfriend's dismay, I started watching 30 Rock (he wants to watch this show with me and is disappointed that I rented it without him). Although I don't think this is the best comedy on TV today (sorry Emmys, that award goes to It's Always Sunny), it is a very good show and I'm glad I started watching it.

In particular, I really like Tina Fey's character, Liz Lemon. In an episode from the first season, she comes to the realization that the reason she likes her boyfriend so much is because he is always feeding her (for example, when she comes home from a long day at work he asks if she wants a cheesesteak).

Oftentimes I feel like I can really relate to Liz Lemon. Like Liz Lemon, I am motivated by food. Unlike her, I like my boyfriend for more than his ability to feed me - in fact I stay with him despite his ability to do just that (no offense jeff - I love you, but your culinary skills are limited to crepes, pancakes and frozen pizza, and besides the occasional pretzel and freeze-dried ice cream, your apartment is devoid of food).

The Million Calorie Smoothie

People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I couldn't agree more. I love breakfast. It is what gives me the motivation to wake up every morning. In fact, sometimes I get SO excited about breakfast, I will wake up early and eat a pre-breakfast (currently 60 calorie blackberry sherbert pop from whole foods).

So when I was told by my hairstylist a month ago that Marathon Grill has the best smoothies in the world, I had to try them. Since I moved to the city, drinking a smoothie and listening to NPR on the ride to work has replaced my morning ritual of eating cereal and reading the newspaper (as I no longer get a newspaper or have a table to read it at). Discovering that there is a Marathon Grill only two blocks away and that their smoothie selection includes a cookies n' cream flavor made with nonfat vanilla yogurt (guilt-free and delicious!) only made me want it more.

Of course wanting something and actually making an effort to get it are two different things. I usually park in the opposite direction of Marathon Grill and therefore don't have time to go there AND be at work on time.

Yesterday however, I decided to throw caution to the wind and get a smoothie. Sure, I got up late, had to get gas, and would probably be a bit late for work but I decided a smoothie would be worth it. So I trucked over to Marathon, asked for a cookies n' cream smoothie only to find out they HAD NO YOGURT! But they could make it with vanilla ice cream. I couldn't resist. I said okay, but to make it a bit healthier (in my mind), I opted for the raspberry truffle chocolate smoothie and decided I'd only drink half.

Problem was, the smoothie was SO GOOD. Maybe it was the ice cream, maybe it was the magic of Marathon Grill. Whatever it was, I ended up slurping up 80% of this fruity, chocolate syrupy, ice creamy concoction before I even got to my car.

So even though my pants may feel tighter today, it was well worth it. I will definitely be making another trip back soon. I just hope this time they have non-fat yogurt because I don't want to be forced to buy new pants.